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64 Start with the park CASE STUDY Westerpark District, Amsterdam 14 hectares Construction period 2001–05 Find short-term cultural uses Background A gas factory and other buildings were laid out at the western edge of Amsterdam at the end of the nineteenth century, rapidly becoming the main supplier of coal gas to the city. In the early 1960s the municipal energy company began switching to natural gas, eventually closing down the gas-making plants in 1967. The site was then used for storage and workshops. Following pressure from the local community, the land was designated as a green space for recreational use in 1981. After a competition, the district council decided to convert the site into a national centre for modern music, despite resistance from some local people who wanted the site to benefit the neighbourhood more directly. But before the site could be made available, the council decided to give it to a project group who would promote short-term cultural uses. This soon turned out to be very successful in drawing in a wide range of cultural enterprises. Over the past 15 years the major new urban park of Westerpark has been created from a derelict and highly contaminated industrial site. The experience shows how interim uses within and around industrial buildings can contribute to regenerating the wider area and promote the cultural economy. In an area of great development pressure, the park now forms one of Amsterdam’s main cultural hubs. The success of the interim uses and the difficulties in developing the site owing to soil contamination meant that for the next decade the gasholder and 14 other industrial buildings were used temporarily for a series of cultural uses and increasingly successful outdoor festivals. Planning and design A development plan, adopted in 1996, envisioned a culture park in which the industrial buildings would be retained, restored and managed by a private company. The main aim was to ensure as much variety as possible by including both short- and long-term cultural enterprises, including theatre, music, fashion, film and visual art. Because this was an unusual project, perceived as high-risk, many banks did not want to invest in redeveloping the buildings. Eventually the National Restoration Fund (a government agency) provided a low-cost loan. Once funding had been obtained, the key challenge was to deal with soil contamination. The project managed to maintain a closed soil balance, keeping all contaminated soil within the site. The landscape architect Gustafson and Porter’s competition-winning design created a 14 hectare park that changes from a free-flowing landscape in the west to a more formal urban layout in the east. The park’s different zones vary in function and character. The industrial heritage remains visible and integral to the sense of place.
Thinking about design 65 Design Gustafson and Porter Partners and clients Westerpark district council, MAB (development company), Amsterdam city council and local residents groups Outcomes A large area of contaminated and derelict land has been made available for use within an area of high development potential. A new park has been created in an area that lacked green space and space has been provided for cultural businesses. The improvements have attracted new residential developments by talented architects. References Koekkebakker, N (2003) Westergasfabriek culture park: transformation of a former industrial site in Amsterdam, Nai, Amsterdam www.westergasfabriek.com/./park.php www.westerpark.nl www.panoramsterdam.com/panos/wester gasfabriek-1.html Lessons learnt • This type of complex project requires a flexible planning approach. In this case it was based on a project team who focused both on the quality of process and the outcome. They had limited power themselves, and needed to influence and inspire those around them. It also meant starting work on the ground without a clear view of the end result and responding to changes in circumstances • The relatively short-term interim uses provided immediately available and valuable amenities for Amsterdam at low cost. They served as a testing ground for new cultural enterprises and built momentum for the creation of the park and the renovation of the buildings • Involving the community is vital to ensure that the design of green spaces reflects their needs. In this case the relationship with the local residents associations was not always comfortable and concerns about the impact of large-scale cultural events led to delays in the project. A huge range of events take place on the site and in the park. Activities included outdoor festivals, opera, theatre, car launches, fashion shows, photography exhibitions, dance and club nights, craft manufacture, a music school, café, restaurant and a movie theatre
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Page 61 and 62: Thinking about design 59 1. Sustain
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Page 73 and 74: Thinking about design 71 Focal poin
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Page 77 and 78: Thinking about design 75 6. Adaptab
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Page 81 and 82: Thinking about design 79 Diverse us
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Page 99 and 100: Appendix 97 Glossary A full range o
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Page 103 and 104: Appendix 101 derelict land, revital
Page 105 and 106: Appendix 103 Awards BRITISH ASSOCIA
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Page 111: Commission for Architecture & the B
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